AIDS Daily Summary
December 13, 1993
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National AIDS
Clearinghouse makes available the following information as a public
service only. Providing this information does not constitute endorsement
by the CDC, the CDC Clearinghouse, or any other organization. Reproduction
of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC
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Copyright 1993, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD
"U.N. Agency Reports AIDS Virus Spreading Very Quickly in Africa"
New York Times (12/13/93) P. B8
Some 2 million additional people contracted the AIDS virus in the
last year, most of them in Africa, where the teenagers and young
adults are being infected at a distressing rate, reported the
World Health Organization. Nearly 70 percent of the world's HIV
population is in Africa and 60 percent of new infections are
among people aged 15 to 24, cited Dr. Michael Merson,
director-general of WHO's global AIDS program. "This
demonstrates the vulnerability of Africa's youth and shows us
where to focus our prevention efforts," declared Merson, citing
migration and population displacements due to civil strife as
partially responsible for the AIDS crisis in Africa. Merson made
his comments at the opening of the eighth annual International
Conference on AIDS in Africa, which was attended by some 3,500
medical researchers, sociologists, health officials, AIDS
activists, and artists representing 40 countries.
"Penn Enrolling Subjects for Testing of HIV Drug"
Philadelphia Inquirer (12/11/93) P. B2
The University of Pennsylvania is currently enrolling
HIV-infected patients with T-cell counts lower than 400 and high
HIV antibodies to participate in the trial of an experimental
drug that aims to prevent cell-to-cell transmission of the AIDS
virus. Labeled L-735,524, the compound inhibits the protease
enzyme that is used by the virus to replicate. The drug was
developed by Merck & Co., and is also being tested in four other
school-based clinics.
"Second Wave of AIDS Feared by Officials in San Francisco"
New York Times (12/11/93) P. 1 (Gross, Jane)
In the gay capital of the United States, San Francisco, health
officials fear the city may be headed for a second wave of AIDS
infections. Many gay men--numb from loss, pessimistic about
their own survival, unwilling to face some sexual deprivation,
and eager for the attention bestowed on those ill or dying--are
again engaging in unprotected anal intercourse, which behavior
experts say is boosting infection rates. Ron Stall, a behavioral
epidemiologist, and other experts discovered a rising infection
rate and a disturbing level of unsafe sex in their combined
reading of epidemiological data. Among every 100 uninfected gay
men in San Francisco, there were 18 new cases of infection in
1982. That number fell to one in 1985, but has been bumped back
up to two--four among men under age 25. This, insist experts, is
the clearest indication of a corresponding increase in unsafe
sexual behavior. While it is now common knowledge that anal
intercourse without condoms spreads AIDS, surveys show that one
in every three gay men is still engaging in unsafe sex. Lack of
information does not account for the problem. Experts cite
emotional factors as possible explanations, including depression
and feelings that the disease is unavoidable.
"U.S. to Crack Down on Tainted Tissue Transplants"
Reuters (12/10/93) (Trautman, Robert)
Washington--The Food and Drug Administration on Friday announced
a crackdown against trade in contaminated human bones and tissue
for transplants that could cause AIDS or hepatitis. The FDA is
issuing regulations to require that American tissue banks ensure
adequate screening of these products, said FDA Commissioner David
Kessler, citing potentially infectious tissue from cadavers
imported from at least six sources in Russia and eastern Europe.
Two FDA agents discovered that two small tissue banks, Kalev USA
of Los Angeles and Flark Medical Inc. of Detroit, received bodies
from these regions. One blood sample that the agents bought from
the companies tested positive for hepatitis. According to
Kessler, the firms handled only about 200 cadavers, a small
percentage of the national total. Although the risk of disease
transmission through cadavers is small, said Kessler, "the
potential of tissues to transmit infectious diseases must be
thoroughly guarded against." FDA officials said they had no
documentation of infections from previous transplants. The
Center for Infectious Diseases, however, has cited cases of HIV
from organs transplanted during the six-month incubation period
between when HIV is contracted and when it can be detected in
tests.
"'Proof Positive' Captures a Good Life, Despite HIV"
Baltimore Sun (12/11/93) P. 5D (Dorsey, John)
Through Jan. 15, Maryland Art Place in Baltimore, Md., will
feature "Proof Positive: Five Photographic Interpretations of
Life with HIV." The AIDS exhibit displays pictures taken by five
photographers, and the content varies. Some of the subjects are
HIV-positive; some have progressed to full-blown AIDS, some have
not. The content is reflective not only of the dual nature of
the show, but of the disease. Jack Radcliffe's work, for
instance, creates an indelible and devastating impression through
his images of AIDS patients, while Cary Beth Cryor's "Throne of
Resistance" focuses instead on the images of infected persons who
continue to lead productive lives. According to curators Connie
Imboden and Jose Villarrubia, the exhibit is about living and
intends to show that "there can be a positive outlook to the
lives of those affected with HIV."
"A 'Messiah' for Kids With AIDS"
Boston Globe (12/10/93) P. 67 (Dyer, Richard)
Sing-along "Messiahs" have become increasingly popular during the
holiday season, and one scheduled for Dec. 20 will benefit
youngsters infected the AIDS virus. The "Messiah for Hope"
performance, accompanied by members of the New England
Philharmonic, will donate proceeds to Boston's Children's
Hospital AIDS Program (CHAP). The event will be further enhanced
by the solo performances of professional singers.
"New Chamber Ensemble Promotes AIDS Awareness; Positive Music to
Perform Series of Free Concerts"
PR Newswire (12/09/93)
New York--An HIV-positive bassist has formed POSITIVE MUSIC, a
new chamber music ensemble that aims to promote AIDS awareness
and education. "POSITIVE MUSIC is a group of professional
musicians whose lives have been deeply affected by AIDS and HIV,"
says founder and artistic director Charles Tomlinson. "We hope
to provide a forum where music can serve to enlighten, inform,
and help the healing process for all of us who have felt the pain
and loss of this epidemic." Tomlinson has played with the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra,
Michigan Opera Theatre, Music for Life, and additional chamber
music organizations. POSITIVE MUSIC will present a series of
free concerts called Fourth Wednesdays at the Lesbian and Gay
Community Services Center in Manhattan. The concerts will
spotlight new material as well as a standard chamber music
repertoire. The series begins on Jan. 26, 1994, and presents new
performances on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
"Life Insurers Eye Specter of AIDS Claims"
Nikkei Weekly (Japan) (11/29/93) Vol. 31, No. 1597, P. 26
Fearing an increase in AIDS-related claims, Japan's life insurers
are debating whether potential clients should be obliged to take
HIV tests. Japanese insurance companies currently require
potential buyers with big payouts to undergo health check-ups,
and those clients found to have a serious illness--such as
terminal cancer--are turned away. The companies do not, however,
require HIV-status information; therefore, life insurers must pay
up when a policyholder with AIDS dies. In the United States, as
well as in several European nations, insurance companies have for
years called on buyers to declare HIV status when signing up for
a policy and, in the late 1980s, mandated blood tests for buyers
of large-payout policies. Despite these precautions,
AIDS-related policies in America equaled close to $1.4 billion in
1992--four times the amount in 1986--according to the American
Council of Life Insurance. Some insist that many HIV carriers
know that they are infected, yet intentionally purchase policies
so that their families can be provided for when they die. These
and other problems encountered by American and European insurance
companies have raised concerns among Japanese insurers, who are
known for their caution. In response, the Life Insurance
Association of Japan is compiling guidelines on how best to
implement questions about HIV status and blood tests, as well as
pamphlets on how to prevent HIV carriers from obtaining policies.
Industry insiders do not expect much from these measures. In
fact, they are holding their breath and hoping that Japan escapes
the AIDS explosion felt in so many other countries.
"AIDSLine"
Advocate (11/30/93) No. 643, P. 34 (Cohan, Gary R.)
As many as 20 percent of AIDS patients can develop a dermatologic
condition known as molluscum contagiosum. The lesions, which
resemble pimples, do not affect internal organs or cause medical
complications, so the problem is mostly cosmetic. Ranging in
size from a small acne-like pimple to large clusters, the
whitish, indented, hemispherical papules can surface on the face,
neck, armpits, groin, and buttocks, causing a great deal of
emotional anxiety. The condition is caused by a pox-virus
infection of the skin similar to wart viruses. Molluscum lesions
can be treated by freezing them with a topical liquid nitrogen or
by burning them with electric current or trichloroacetic acid.
Some mild cases have been successfully treated with Retin-A, an
acne medication. The lesions, however, are nearly impossible to
cure and have a tendency to recur and spread despite aggressive
treatment.
"Resources"
Business & Health (11/93) Vol. 11, No. 13, P. 12
Deaconess Press presents "We Are All Living With AIDS: How You
Can Set Policies and Guidelines for the Workplace," a book of
guidelines for establishing an HIV or AIDS education program at
work. The examples detailed in the book are designed to apply to
companies and industries of diverse sizes. The book also
identifies and thoroughly discusses 10 major obstacles companies
may encounter when developing and implementing comprehensive HIV
or AIDS policies. In addition, accompanying the book are
resource sheets and appendices of organizations to call for more
information. The cost is $14.95.